You are munching on some candy and you suddenly notice that there is something hard in your mouth. Soon after, you realize that you chipped your tooth. Walking around with a chipped tooth is both dangerous and aesthetically unappealing. Although the enamel is the hardest part of your body, it is prone to breakage when enough force is applied. However, you should not panic when it happens. Dentists have a variety of methods that they can use. Here are some of the options you will find for your chipped tooth at Vita Dental Spring.

Caring for the Chipped Tooth

If you get a chipped tooth, you should visit the dentist as soon as possible. Otherwise, the damaged tooth could lead to an infection. However, if you are far from the dentist’s office, you can do some home remedies.

If the tooth is painful, rinse your mouth with salt water and take an over the counter painkiller. If the broken tooth has resulted in a sharp edge, you can cover it with sugarless gum as you await a visit to the dentist. Besides that, ensure that you eat only soft foods to avoid further damage. When you get to the dentist, he or she will use these treatment options:

Dental Bonding or Filling

If you chipped just a small piece of the tooth, the dentist will apply a filling to repair the tooth. If the chipped tooth is one of the front teeth, the dentist will use bonding. This entails the use of a composite resin that is tooth colored.

Bonding is quite easy and will not require you to be sedated. For bonding to occur, the dentist will etch the tooth to give it a rough surface. The dentist will then apply the adhesive material and later on apply the tooth-colored resin. He or she will then shape the resin to make it look like a tooth before using UV light to harden it.

Dental Crown or Cap

If a huge chunk of the tooth has fallen off and the tooth has decayed, your dentist will grind at the remaining tooth and cover it with a crown. This will help to protect the tooth and improve appearances. The crowns are made of metal, resin, or ceramic.

Getting the crown will usually take two visits. During the first visit, an x-ray of the teeth is taken to examine the root and surrounding bone. If there are no more issues, the dentist will numb the tooth and remove enough material to make room for a crown. If much tooth has been lost, the doctor may use a filling to create room for the crown.

After that, the dentist will use a putty-like substance to make an impression of the tooth surface and the tooth it will touch when you bite. The impressions will be used to create your crown. You may also receive a temporary crown made of metal or acrylic. After about two weeks, the dentist will remove the temporary crown and fit the permanent crown.

Dental Veneers

If the front tooth is chipped or cracked, the dental veneer may be used. The veneer is a thin shell made of resin or porcelain that covers the front of the tooth. The dentist will need to get rid of about a millimeter of enamel. He or she will then make an impression of the tooth and send it to a dental laboratory. The veneer is usually ready in about a week and you go and have it placed.

To install the veneer, the dentist etches the tooth surface to make it rough. He or she will then apply dental cement to the veneer and place it on the tooth. Once in place, he or she will use a special light that activates chemicals in the cement to harden it.

Root Canal

If a tooth is extensively broken so that the pulp is exposed, bacteria can enter into this pulp and cause a bad infection. If the tooth is painful, changes color, the pulp is most likely infected. The tissue can die if it is not removed and cause the tooth to rot. A root canal will entail getting rid of the pulp, cleaning the tooth canal, and sealing it.

General dentists or an endodontist, who is a specialist dentist, performs root canals. Most of the root canals are quite painful compared to getting cavities filled. After the root canal, the remaining tooth is usually covered with a crown to protect it.

Prevention is better than Cure

Getting a chipped tooth is quite possible thanks to modern dentistry. However, preventing tooth chipping is even better. That means you should avoid activities that could chip teeth. For instance, always wear the right safety gear during sports. Besides that, avoid chewing food that is so hard that you have to strain yourself to break it down. Lastly, you should only use your teeth to chew food and not to open bottle caps or anything else.

Dr. Pil and his staff are amaizing! He takes time to explain every little detail and makes sure you are comfortable. Jess and Yancy are so sweet and patient. I love this practice. I recommend it 100 %read more

This is not your typical dental office- they go above and beyond for you. I'm very lucky to have found them. I needed an urgent appointment that other dentists would not even bother with but Yancy went out of her way to get me settled in and dealt with my dental insurance drama and Jessica had excellent bedside manner. Dr. Sun is nicest doctor and his work was incredible! He did not hesitate at all to get me fixed up. I will definitely be coming back for future treatments. This was the smoothest appointment I've ever had. Money was well spent! -Minaread more

Vita Dental is awesome! The young ladies at the front desk are super sweet and so friendly. (Especially, Yancy! She's absolutely the BEST!!!) The whole staff is genuinely nice including the doctor. They made me feel relaxed and actually make the visit to the dentist enjoyable. I totally recommend Vita Dental!!read more

Excellent service overall and great friendly staff, both the doctors and staff are very professional. Especially Jessica, she’s super sweet and is one of the reasons why I highly recommended this office to my friends and family. Dr. Pill was also a great doctor, he listened and took his time working on my teeth.read more

First, let me start off by saying thank you so very much for making my daughters appointment so smooth and comfortable for her.She came in having a pretty high fear, until you all were able to quickly ease her mind and make her feel safe and secure while also building her trust. Thank you Dr. Shin and your team staff, Jessica and Yancey for your professional bedside manners, as well as taking the time to address any related questions and/or concerns. I couldn’t be more happier and pleased with how everyone took their time to make sure she was not only comfortable, but also aware of what was going on in that moment and what was to be expected. I believe I have found my daughters main dentist I’ve been in search for!Thank you again for all that you do because your passion of work clearly shines through!read more

I highly recommend Vita Dental! It’s not exciting to go to the dentist, but this is the first place that makes me want to come back. The people who work there really make you feel comfortable and know what they’re doing! I spoke to Jessica and she was so sweet! If you need a dentist, this is the place!read more

So impressed! Excellent service great staff! You can tell vita dental are here to help you, they provide different type of payment plans for treatment that’s so convenient! Definitely will be returning!read more

My first time here it was a little wait time the front desk was always keeping me updated and making sure I was okay. Once I finally went to the back Jessica the assistant didn’t take long at all to do my whole x-rays and getting me ready for the doctor to see me. Dr. Pil was very good at explaining everything I needed he even took pictures of my teeth. I’m very impressed with the staff and the quality in the work. The wait time was so worth it at the end. Thank you vita staffread more

Highly recommend Dr.pil and his dental assistant Jessica! They took their time to explain everything and answered all my questions! They did an amazing job on my teeth cleaning! Jessica is the sweetest! First time here and will not be my last! Definitely will be coming back!read more

I just met the most wonderful ladies today such hard workers for this company. I had to write them a review. Yancy and Jessica came up to me today to promote the office and offer me a free exam and cleaning.God bless them.read more

I highly recommend Dr.Pil and his entire Vita Dental Spring staff for providing a professional, considerate and helpful service to our community! With Yancy, the first person you meet, is attentive, engaging and efficient with extensive knowledge of insurance coverages. Also, Jessica, the dental assistant is very friendly and efficient.Overall excellent and Dr. Phil is knowledgeable and recommends the best for his patients.read more

Had 4 appointments scheduled over a week ago. I set them up after they called me, reminding me about scheduling the next visit. I pulled the kids out of school, took off work early scrambled all over the city trying to get there on time. Not only was the dentist late, they told me the appointments I scheduled were a mistake and the three boys did not need an appointment, only me. They couldn’t tell me that BEFORE I took off work and pulled them out of school. I scheduled the appointment at least a week ago, maybe two. ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS! How extremely frustrating. They even gave me a courtesy call reminding me about the appointments - the ones I apparently didn’t need. Ugh.
The sad part is we were pleased with the dentists up to this point. The front office receptionist was like, “Well sorry. Shall we reschedule?”read more

I have been looking to switch over to a new dental office and it looks like I found the right one. Yancy helped me with everything over the phone before my appointment . The office is very clean and professional. I would definitely recommend this office.read more

I visited Vita Dental for the first time and Dr. Pil’s staff made to feel very comfortable. Jessica and Yancy are awesome, as well as Dr. Pil. He took the time to explain everything to me. His staff was happy to answer any questions I had. Also, the office environment was very calming to me. Vita Dental gets high marks from me and I totally recommend them.read more

My husband and I were very satisfied with the service and facilities. The staff was helpful and friendly. The dentist was patient and clearly explained the treatment plan. We highly recommend this place.read more

At first I thought it was kinda weird that I get a call from the staff to remind me my boys due for cleaning and check up. But I can honestly say I’m happy I did come visit Vita dental had a good experience.read more

Vita Dental of Spring is a walking distance from my house, went just for cleaning (because I floss and brush twice a day and did not have a single cavity for 20 years), ended up paying close to $400. I have the best dental insurance plan (PPO plan), they verified my dental insurance few minutes before the appointment, they never informed me that they are out of network and they took me straight to see the dentist who did unnecessary dental check because all I need is the cleaning, and before they do the cleaning they presented the bill to me and said "shall we continue with the cleaning?" I said since am here already go ahead, they said there will be an additional $85, I was so angry for this unprofessional and unethical dental practice which I have never seen before in any dental clinic anywhere.
I DO NOT RECOMMEND VITA DENTAL OF SPRING and will never come to their clinic again.read more

Good dentist to go to. They squeezed me in their schedule and when I arrived everything was so smooth. From checking in, filling out paperwork and them checking my insurance, to the doctor explaining and doing my cleaning! Thanks everyoneread more

Took my kids to Vita, my youngest was its first time and as soon as we walked out the door she said, “mommy we should come to the dentist more often” that is something that cannot be explained, specially considering past experiences with my oldest! Amazing office!!!!read more

I’ve got to say Dr. Son is one of the best dentist I’ve met I don’t feel no pain when getting my treatment done that’s a first!! His staff is beyond great always with an awesome attitude what else can you ask for from a dental office. I truly recommend vita dental to anyoneread more

I was a walk in patient and they saw me same day. The Dr Son was so gental his assistant jessy was very gentle as well. Karina was so helpful with my payment plans. Everyone had very great attitudes not like other offices I’m very impressed!read more